I have spoken to many Naval Aviators who claim the F/A-18 to be the finest aircraft in the Navy's inventory. So while I can not personally say one way or the other, it sounds as though you may get an argument re: it being inferiour to a Tomcat/Bombcat
No doubt I will. Won't matter. The issue is settled: The F-14 will soon go the way of the Dodo bird.
Then, the people who have to live (and die) with the dumb decisions the political hacks make will realize just how big a mistake was made.
But, it won't matter. The issue is settled: The F-14 will be gone.